You’ve heard of LASIK eye surgery, but did you know there are several variations of the vision correction surgery? Read on to learn about the different LASIK procedures available, then make an appointment with Davis Vision Center to discuss which option is right for you.
Types of LASIK Procedures
Bladeless LASIK
Bladeless LASIK eliminates the need for a bladed surgical tool (called a microkeratome) and instead uses a femtosecond laser to create a circular flap in the outer layer of the cornea. Davis Vision Center offers the iLasik procedure that utilizes the VISX star S4 with Iris registration and the IntraLase blade-free laser. Although Dr. Davis has performed thousands of procedures using the microkeratome, the INTRALASE reduces the risk of flap complications, which makes it a safer option.
Conventional LASIK
Conventional LASIK surgery is designed to correct refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. While conventional LASIK is still an excellent choice for many of our patients, it’s not as effective for high order aberrations.
Custom LASIK
Custom LASIK is performed with the Visx Star IR Excimer laser. Like conventional LASIK, custom LASIK uses the wavefront analyzer. The CustomVue wavefront system identifies and measures specific imperfections called high order aberrations in a patient’s eye making it 25 times more precise than standard measurements. The cutting-edge vision correction procedure uses an FDA-approved Visx Iris registration technology, a non-contact method of aligning the treatment to the cornea, providing precise laser alignment accuracy, even with patient movement during the procedure.
PRK
Photorefractive keratectomy, also known as PRK, is a laser eye surgery used to correct mild-moderate to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. Like other laser eye procedures, PRK utilizes an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. What makes PRK different, however, is how it reshapes the cornea. PRK surgery removes the epithelium, the thin surface layer of the cornea.
Types of LASIK Lasers
The Excimer Laser
The excimer laser is a key element that makes refractive laser eye surgery possible. As a cool laser, it emits a tightly-focused beam of ultraviolet light that is absorbed by the upper layer of the surface it comes in contact with.
The Femtosecond Laser
Replacing the handheld microkeratome blade with an ultra-fast laser improves safety with reduced flap complications by eliminating virtually all of the most severe, sight-threatening flap complications. Patient measurements guide the computer-driven laser to create a customized corneal flap with micro-precision. Plus, the laser simultaneously prepares an optimal corneal surface below the flap for better visual outcomes.
The Wavefront-Guided Lasers
Waves of light precisely map the anatomy of the patient’s eye to identify uniquely individual visual errors with measurements 25 times more accurate than standard techniques used to measure glasses and contact lenses. This “fingerprint” of the patient’s eye allows surgeons to customize the laser vision correction to the patient to the exact curvature of the cornea and microscopic hills and valleys within the tissue that contribute to poor vision.
Are You a Good LASIK Candidate?
Since everyone’s eyes are different, Dr. Davis will perform a thorough eye examination to determine which LASIK procedure is right for you. We offer Utah LASIK eye surgery in Salt Lake City, Provo, and Orem. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
